Australian Higher Education Sector Down in Rankings and Nervous on International Enrolments

Australian universities slump in QS World University Rankings. AUSTRALIAN universities are losing ground on their global counterparts, according to a new survey released overnight. Australian National University took out the nation’s top honours, ranking at 20 in this year’s QS World University Rankings. But it fell three places, down from 17 last year. In total, seven higher education institutions fell in the rankings, with the Universities of Sydney and Melbourne coming in at 37th and 38th respectively – dropping from joint 36th last year in the survey released by the London consultancy Quacquarelli Symonds Limited.

Visa risk review sends shivers through international sector. A DEPARTMENT of Immigration and Citizenship review of student visa risk assessment levels could further hurt the falling international market amid fears that some risk levels will be lifted, the International Education Association of Australia has warned.

Mr Murray said that if there were any tightening the industry would seek assurances that the move wasn’t coloured by politics in the wake of an election during which both parties stressed the need to cut migration.

The IEAA warning comes as the latest July commencement figures from Australian Education International show a worsening decline in numbers going into the English language and vocational sectors. That is heightening fears that ongoing growth in higher education will stall or reverse next year…

….The international education industry was frustrated by an election campaign in which international students were caught up in the political debate over cutting net overseas migration, the numbers of which were distorted by the inclusion of students on temporary visas who had been here more than 12 months.

The sector warned that the migration debate was further hurting Australia’s attractiveness to students. “The received message in other countries — among students, parents and others — is that Australia doesn’t value international students,” the Go8 said.